Container holder



Feb. 5, 1946. E. MENKE 2,394,323

CONTAINER HOLDER Filed July 11, 1944 EDWHRD MEN-(E4 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 5, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE CONTAINER HOLDEREdward M'enke, Cincinnati, Ohio 7 Application July 11, 1944, Serial No.544,409

3 Claims. (01. 81-332) My invention relates to container holders andparticularly to a novel container holder adapted to receive and holdcontainers of different diameters.

It is an object of my invention to provide a container holder which willbe readily adjustable to receive jars or cans of difierent sizes andwhich will be provided with means by which the containers may besecurely held during such operations as require the container to be heldsecurely while a screw top lid is applied or removed. In connection with"cans, the holder may be used for holding the can during the use of acan opener to remove the can top.

It is an object of my invention to provide a device for assistance towomen during vegetable and fruit canning operations. Such operationsordinarily require the jar with the screw top lid loosely appliedthereon to be inserted in boiling water. When the jar is removed fromthe boiling water, it is necessary to tighten down securely the screwtop lid to prevent the introduction of air during the time when thecontents of the jar cool. A towel may readily be used for tightening thelid, but it is extremely difficult to hold the jar body during the timethe lid is being tightened. Such jars are of different shapes, somebeing square and some round, and their size is such that the hand cannotreadily grasp them and hold them immovable while the lid is beingtightened.

It is broadly my idea to provide a device which can be readily operatedto hold any size jar or can in fixed immovable position without thenecessity of the housewife holding the jar by means of a cloth or towel.The above objects and other objects to which reference will be made inthe ensuing description, I accomplish by that certain construction ofwhich I have illustrated a preferred embodiment.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a top plan view of the container holder.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevation with portions broken away to show apreferred ratchet type lock used during adjustment of the length of theholding band or belt.

Referring to the drawing, I have indicated at l in Figure 1 a supportingbase which may be, as shown, a flat, rectangular shaped piece of wood.

Firmly secured to the base, there is an upright wall 2, which may alsobe formed from a it an abutment 3 extending up in substantially verticalposition. I V

I have shown at 4 a container, the particular container illustratedbeing a two-quart jarhaving a screw top lid 5.

It will be observed that in holding the container, it is positioned onthe supporting base with one side contacting the abutment member 3. Theupper wall of the abutment member is; ordinarily contoured as indicatedat 5 in Figure 1. Whether the container is round or square in horizontalsection, an'arcuate shaped abutment, as indicated at 5, willhold thecontainer in position.

Extending through slots 6 in the member 2,

there is illustrated the flexible band or belt 1. The belt extends outover the supporting base in position to form an enclosure for thecontainer.

In order to provide an adjustment by which the length of the belt may bepredetermined, one end of the belt 8 is secured to a reel 9 mounted on avertical pivot l0 secured in the base.

The reel has ratchet teeth H arranged in a circular formation at its topand these teeth are engaged by a pawl 12. The pawl I2 is mounted on anarm l3 pivoted at M.

It will be obvious that the length of the belt may be adjusted byturning the reel by means of a knurled hand wheel [5. Figure 1 suggestsa range of different dimensions for the flexible band to accommodatecontainers of difierent sizes.

In order to adjust the length of the band from a smaller to a largerenclosure area, I have pro- 0 dle I! mounted on a vertical pivot I8 anda handle [9, which may readily be grasped by one hand, is secured to thespindle l7, so that when a container is in position on the base, bypulling the handle l9 toward the fixed arm 20, enough take-up will occurin the belt to hold the container in firm, rigid position.

A spring 2| may be provided so as always to return the manuallyadjustable handle iii to inoperative position. i

The operation of the device is exceedingly simple. First, the length ofthebelt extending out over the base is adjusted by means of turning thehand wheel IS. The belt is adjusted to such a size as will receiveloosely the container, and

rectangular piece of wood, and this wall has on after the container isin position, the belt is tightened by means of the handle 19. This canreadily be done with the left hand, which leaves the right hand free totighten or release the lid of the container.

In connection with cans to be opened, the same;;operation takes place.The left hand holdsfgthe container in position, andthe right handjcan beused for operating the can opener. It the person using the holder isleft-handed, the handle l9 can be held with the righthand, and the lidtightened. oi the can opener used with the left hand.

I have shown a construction made from wood which is the simplest form ofconstruction avail able; but it should :be understood that an eduivalent combination of devices may be made from metal, plastic, orcombinations ofothei materials. Also, the size and shape of the? variousparts may be modified to suit the particular requirements of theparticular types of containers for which the device is adapted.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent: is:

1. In combination with abase, an upright support having a substantially,vertical. abutment portion,- aflexible band extending out from saidabutment lportion andenelosing an area above said base, a reel to whichone end of said flexible handis' secured, means for rotating said, reelto adjust the length of the band extending out from said abutmentportion, means for lockingthe reel: in predetermined positions, andmanual mote from the reel to retain firmly a container placed on saidbase in non-rotative position.

2. In combination with a base, an upright support having a substantiallyvertical abutment portion, a flexible band extending out from saidabutment portion and enclosing an area above said base, a reel to whichone end of said flexible band is secured, means for rotating said reelto adjust the length of the band extending out from said abutmentportion, means for locking the reel infpredeterinined positions, manualmeans adjacent the other end of said band for taking up sumciently onthe end of the band remote from the reel to retain firmly a container:placed on said base in non-rotative position, and a guide forpreventing buckling of said band during ad- Jiistiiient thereof.

3; In combination with a base, an upright supmeans adjacent the otherend of said band for taking, up sumciently on the endof the band reporthaving a substantially vertical abutment portion, a flexible bandextending out from said abutment portion and enclosing an area abovesaid base, a. reel to which one end of said flexible band isseeured,means for rotating said reel to adjust the length of the band extendingout from said abutment portion, means for locking the reel inpredetermined positions, and manual means adjacent the other end of saidband for taking up sumciently on the end of the band remote from thereel to retain firmly a container placed on. said base in non-rotativeposition, said manual means comprising a member adapted to :be graspedwith one hand,v and spring means for maintaining said manual means ininoperative position when not in use. v, p

EDWARD MENKE.

